Skiing in New England can get pricey. Peak-season lift tickets can cost upwards of $100 per person, not to mention the travel has its own costs. Once skiing has commenced food becomes a major financial factor as well.

Planning ahead is a key factor to saving money. Sites like Liftopia.com offer discounts when tickets are purchased in advance. Tickets are generally more expensive on holidays and weekends, and skiing is potentially cheaper on a Monday or midweek. Many resorts offer great deals for multiple ticket purchases or for bigger groups at hotels.

Resorts plan accordingly for the winter break with deals for college students with select passes and sponsored events. Mount Snow, Vermont’s most southern ski resort offers a season pass called The Double-Down Pass. This pass gives unrestricted access to Mount Snow and Stratton Mountain, separated 30 minutes by car. Mount Snow makes the pass available for ages 18- 26, priced at $369.

There is also the 4.0 College Pass offered by Killington and Okemo in Vermont for $379, the College New England Pass for Sunday River at Sugarloaf in Maine, and Loon in New Hampshire for $349. All three of these passes are competitively priced and can be paid for after only a few days skiing, saving money one trip at a time.

Mountains for skiing are generally in remote locations and this allows for high prices on the most mediocre food. Instead of paying $12 for a soggy batch of fries and $6 for a chocolate chip cookie, skiers and snowboarders should think about bringing a meal or two. Bringing something as simple as a PB&J sandwich can save considerable amounts of money.

“I love skiing but high ticket prices and food costs can drive me away from certain mountains,” said junior Sean Gallahue. “That is why I normally look for the best college deal, some places even do a entire college week.”